will love. TRUTH WHAT FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. YES, IT IS HISTORIC. BUT DETROIT WAS BUILT ON A PEDIGREE OF RESILIENCE, OF MOVING FORWARD. IT MAY HELP REMEMBER THAT THE CITY'S MOTTO IS RESURGENCE, LATIN FOR WE HOPE FOR BETTER THINGS. IT WILL ARISE FROM THE ASHES. FATHER RASHARD GAVE US THAT MOTTO AFTER THE CITY PRETTY MUCH BURNED DOWN IN 1805 AND THE PHOENIX HAS FLOWN OVER THE CITY FOR THE TWO CENTURIES SINCE. YOU SEE IT TODAY IN THE PARADOX OF A HUMMING DOWNTOWN, IN THE RESURGENCE OF ITS SIGNATURE INDUSTRY BUT ALSO IN ITS PEOPLE FROM A BORN FIGHTER WAITING 10 YEARS FOR A TRANSPLANT TO A JUDGE SPREADING NOT MERELY JUSTICE BUT LITTLE ZEN, FROM WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE STREETS TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WORKING TO STATE TAKE THOSE STREETS BACK. DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, DETROIT IS MOVING FORWARD TONIGHT ON DATELINE DETROIT. HI, AND WELCOME TO DATE LINE DETROIT, GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US THIS EVENING. TONIGHT IS ALL ABOUT MOVING DETROIT FORWARD. PEOPLE PUSHING AHEAD AFTER GREAT CHALLENGES AND ADVERSITY, TAKING PART WITH WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED TO HELP OTHERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING. AND THE CITY ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE FINANCIALLY SHOWING STRONG SIGNS THAT A COMEBACK IS UNDERWAY. WE ARE DEFINITELY MOVING FORWARD. DETROIT IS BROKE. I REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO GO IN THIS DIRECTION, BUT NOW THAT WE ARE HERE, WE HAVE TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT. Reporter: BY NOW, I IMAGINE WE CAN ALL RECITE IT TOGETHER, LAST WEEK DETROIT BECAME THE LARGEST CITY EVER TO FILE FOR CHAPTER 9, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. IT TOOK NO TIME AT ALL FOR A PARADE OF TALKING HEADS AND BLARING HEADLINES TO PING DETROIT'S LATEST INDIGNITY AROUND THE GLOBE. AND THERE WAS, LATE BARE FOR ALL TO SEE, THE CITY THAT PUT THE WORLD ON WHEELS, NOT ONLY A WASH IN WEED-STRANGLED LOTS AND CRUMBLING ABANDONED HOMES, BUT OUT OF MONEY, AS WELL. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS LONG SAID THAT IN HERK THE ONLY THING WE LOVE MORE THAN BUILDING UP GIANTS IS TEARING THEM DOWN. AND IT DOES SEEM TO BE FAR TOO MUCH DELIGHT, FAR TOO MUCH, I TOLD YOU SO, IN THE RECOUNTING OF THE FALL OF THE MITTY CITY THAT PUT THE WORLD ON WHEELS. THERE'S LONG BEFORE SOMETHING INCOMPLETE ABOUT THE REPORTING ON DETROIT, SOMETHING MISSING AS OUT-OF-TOWN JOURNALISTS PARACHUTE IN TO TAKE A FEW SHOTS OF THE OLD TRAIN DEPOT BEFORE HEADING HOME ON THE FALL AN AMERICAN ICON. WE'VE SEEN IT AGAIN OVER THE LAST WEEK. BUT THEN AGAIN OUR STORY MAY JUST BE THAT COMPLICATED. A CITY LOSING RESIDENTS BY THE THOUSANDS SUDDENLY HAS THOUSANDS MORE PEOPLE WORKING DOWNTOWN. A CITY THAT HAS TROUBLE KEEPING ITS STREET LIGHTS ON NOW HAS WAITING LISTS FOR APARTMENTS AND CONDOS IN MIDTOWN. THE LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY WITHOUT MASS TRANSIT READY TO TEAR UP WOODWARD AVENUE TO BUILD THE N1 RAIL LINE. CARMAKERS ARE NOW SELLING CARS AT A PACE THEY'VE NOT SEEN FOR YEARS. A CONVENTION CENTER LONG FOUGHT OVER IS NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF A $279 MILLION MAKEOVER UNDER AN AUTHORITY THAT FINALLY SEEMS TO SUGGEST POTENTIAL IN REGIONAL COOPERATION. A CITY WITH NO EXTRA MONEY LYING AROUND HAS 100 NEW POLICE SARS AND 23 AMBULANCES READY TO ROLL THANKS TO $8 MILLION FROM THE BUSINESS WORLD. AT A TIME WHEN EXPANSION AND GROWTH WOULD SEEM AT ODDS WITH REALITY, THE PLANS ARE IN PLACE FOR A $650 MILLION HOCKEY AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX. AND KEEPING IN MIND YOU DON'T BECOME A BILLIONAIRE BY BEING FOOLISH WITH YOUR MONEY, IT'S NOTEWORTHY WHERE BILLIONAIRE DAN GILL BER IS PLACING HIS BETS. HE'S ALL IN ON DETROIT. YES. MAYBE IT'S JUST, WELL, COMPLICATED. MY VIEW OF IT IS, IS PROGRESS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE GOT TO DO ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. WE'VE $18 BILLION A DEBT, WE ONLY HAVE A BILLION A YEAR IN REVENUE. WE'VE GOTTA ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. Reporter: IT'S ALREADY A NEW DAY IN CHAI NOLA TURNING OUT HIGH DOLLAR WATCHES AND BICYCLES, A NEW DAY OF WHOLE FOODS JAMMED EVERYDAY WITH ENTHUSIASTIC SHOPPERS. IT'S A NEW DAY AT AVALON BAKERY WHICH NEEDED A NEW HOME MORE THAN TWICE THE SIZE OF THEIR OLD ADDITION. IT'S A NEW DAY AT CAMPUS MAR HIS BUSTLING WITH CITY LIFE. IT'S HARD TO PUT SOMETHING ON -- THERE ARE MANY WHO BELIEVE DETROIT WAS DOOMED TO STRUGGLE WITHOUT THE FREEDOM THAT A BANKRUPTCY CAN NOW PROVIDE. THE DANE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORM WITH THE DECKS FINALLY CLEARED OF DECADES OF DEBRIS. BANKRUPTCY MAY FINALLY OFFER THE CITY WHAT MANY OF ITS BELIEVERS ARE ALREADY SENSING. A NEW DAY. AND WHERE WE ARE STANDING, WE GET A CHANCE TO SEE A PANORAMIC VIEW OF DOWNTOWN. WE KNOW THAT DOWNTOWN AND MIDTOWN ARE PRIME EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT WHEN THEY HEAR ABOUT THE CITY OF DETROIT BUT IF YOU GO OUTSIDE TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA NEIGHBORHOODS, WELL, THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. PEOPLE LIVING THERE DO PEOPLE FORGOTTEN BUT AS OUR KEVIN DIETZ SHOWS US, THE AGGRESSIVE PLAN THAT IS ATTACKING NEIGHBORHOOD BLIGHT. Reporter: THE RESIDENTS HERE TELL ME THAT THE GARBAGE DOESN'T GET PICKED UP, THAT THE STREET LIGHTS DON'T WORK, AND IT TAKES FOREVER FOR THE POLICE TO COME WHEN THEY CALL 911. SOME SAY THEY PLAN TO MOVE OUT OF DETROIT BECAUSE DETROIT WILL NEVER CHANGE. BUT BEFORE THEY DO, THEY SHOULD TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING DOWNTOWN AND HERE IN THE BRIGHTMOOR NEIGHBORHOOD. . DETROIT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. WE HAVE MANY GREAT THINGS TO BRAG ABOUT. AND A LOT OF SERIOUS PROBLEMS THAT NEED IMMEDIATE ACTION. FAR TOO MANY NEIGHBORHOODS ARE CRIME RIDDEN AND RUN DOWN. THOSE WHO LIVE HERE TELL ME THEY FEEL JUST LIKE THE BURNED-OUT HOMES ON THEIR STREET, ABANDONED. THIS IS TERRIBLE. I DON'T KNOW. IT LOOKS LIKE WE FORGOTTEN. Reporter: BUT NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFETIME, REAL HELP IS ON THE WAY. IN A MATTER OF WEEKS, WE CHANGED THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT DRASTICALLY FOR THE BETTER. THIS MAN SAW A STORY ABOUT A DETROIT WOMAN KILLED BY SOMEONE LURKING IN AN EMPTY HOME AND COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF HIS HEAD. HE WENT TO HIS FRIEND BILL POTTY WHO HAPPENS TO BE THE GRANDSON OF BILLION PAIR THAT MICHIGAN HOMEBUILDER WILLIAM PULTE. TOGETHER THEY SAID LET'S FIX IT. WE PUT THE WORLD ON WHEELS, THIS IS BLIGHTED STRUCTURES AND OVERGROWN BRUSH. WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS. Reporter: MIGHT HAVE AT LEAST A $500 MILLION PROBLEM IN DETROIT. THEY DON'T CARE. PROMISING TO CLEAR ONE NEIGHBORHOOD AT A TIME UNTIL IT'S ALL GONE. AND YOU THINK THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO CROSS THE CITY EVENTUALLY WITH HELP AND HIT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD? ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY. EVERY ACRE. YEP. Reporter: THEY TELL ME THEY DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR FOR INSPIRATION. 25 YEARS AGO DETROIT'S WOODWARD CORRIDOR WAS BLEAK. TAKE A LOOK AT IT NOW. YOU SEE IT, FEEL IT, VIBRANCE. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. 25 YEARS AGO A PIZZA GUY NAMED MIKE ILLAGE BOUGHT A THEATER ON WOODWARD AND MOVED HIS COMPANY TO DETROIT. CRAZY, LIKE A FOX. A DECADE LATER A NEW BASEBALL STADIUM. THEN THE FAMILY JUMPS IN WITH A NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM. RESTAURANTS GO UP, COMP OOH WEAR MOVES TO THE SITE OF A NEWLY RENOVATED CAMPUS MARCHIS. IN 2006, WE GET A SUPER BOWL. MOST RECENTLY DAN GILBERT IS MAKING THINGS HAPPEN, BUYING DOZENS OF BUILDINGS AND GETTING QUICK AND LOAN EMPLOYEES. AND THEY'RE NOT DONE YET. A NEW $650 MILLION HOCKEY ARENA IS ON THE WAY. IT WON'T TAKE THE POTTY FAMILY 25 YEARS TO CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBORHOODS. THEY PLAN TO GET IT DONE IN 5. THE PULTE FAMILY. I SEE THE PEOPLE DUMPING. I CHASE THEM DOWN. Reporter: PROUD AND DESPERATE PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY WERE LEFT TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES. YOU WOULD GET BAD GUYS THAT WANT TO HIDE IN THE GRASS. Reporter: THEY WALKED ME BY THE TALL GRASS, THE TRASH, THE ABANDONED HOMES. I CALL THE POLICE, THEY NEVER COME. THEY NEVER COME. YOU KNOW WE JUST KEEP CALLING. Reporter: JOHN CALLED 911 ABOUT A SUSPICIOUS PERSON. THREE DAYS LATER POLICE SHOWED UP AND WROTE HIM A $125 TICKET FOR PUSHING HIS LAWN MOWER DOWN THE STREET. THE COP DIDN'T CARE THAT SIDEWALKS ARE COVERED WITH GRASS AND IMPOSSIBLE TO NAVIGATE. IT'S JUST NOT SAFE. MY SON DOESN'T FEEL SAFE. Reporter: TUNISIA GORE TELLS ME HER SON IS AFRAID TO WALK TO SCHOOL. I HAVE THE BIGGEST GUN ON MY HIP THAT I CAN BUY TO PROTECT ME AND MY FAMILY. Reporter: ONE WEEK AFTER MY STORY RAN, THE WORK TRUCKS SHOWED UP. IT WAS LIKE A MIRACLE. IN HOURS, THE GRASS WAS CUT. IN DAYS, THE TRACEY CLEARED. SOON ALL THIS GARBAGE WILL BE COLLECTED, AND ABANDONED HOUSES, THEY'LL BE KNOCKED DOWN. IF NOTHING CHANGES FOR 55 YEARS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IN A MATTER OF THREE OR FOUR WEEKS YOU CAN SEE FOR BLOCKS AT A TIME, YOU CAN SEE HOW THE HOPE WOULD BECOME CONTAININGIOUS. Reporter: TURNS OUT THE BLIGHT AUTHORITY SPOTTED THE SAME PROBLEMS I DID AND PICKED BRIGHTMOOR AS ITS NEXT NEIGHBORHOOD TO CLEAN UP. THE EFFORT IS PRIVATELY FUNDED BUT LOOKING FOR FEDERAL GRANT MONEY. AND LISTEN TO THIS, HALF THE PEOPLE WORKING HERE LIVE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD. BY HIRING OVER 25 LOCAL RESIDENTS, THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS REALLY KIND OF TAKEN OWNERSHIP OVER THIS PROJECT, WHICH -- IT'S THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. Reporter: THIS DETROITER WALKED UP ON US DURING OUR INTERVIEW. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THE TREES. IT'S CUT DOWN. YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE ALL THE WAY DOWN NOW. YOU CAN KEEP AN EYE BETTER. I LOVE IT. I WISH THEY'D DO MY YARD. DO YOU GET A LOT OF THAT. YEAH. I MEAN, IT ALMOST BRINGS TO YOU TEARS WHEN YOU JUST THINK THAT THIS SIMPLE OPERATION -- I MEAN, IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. Reporter: THE DETROIT CRIME COMMISSION HAS PARTNERED WITH THE BLIGHT AUTHORITY. ANDY ARENA SAYS THE DECREASING CRIME NUMBERS ARE STUNNING. FROM A CRIME STANDPOINT IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THESE COCKROACHES HAVE NO PLACE TO HIDE ANYMORE. IT'S EITHER OPEN AIR MARKET OR GET OUT OF TOWN. Reporter: IF THE COPS SEE IT, NEIGHBORHOODS WHO THEY THOUGHT WERE LOST CAUSES NOW HAVE A REAL CHANCE TO MOVE FORWARD. THE FIRST STEPS ARE UNDERWAY. THE COMMUNITY STANDS UP ON ITS OWN. SO BY GETTING RID OF THE BLIGHT, YOU REALLY HELP EVERY OTHER EFFORT GOING ON IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS. THE BLIGHT AUTHORITY HAS TAKEN THE FIRST VERY BIG STEP BUT JUST LIKE DOWNTOWN, IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE HELP OF MANY TO MAKE SURE THAT IT SUCCEEDS. IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO RESIDENTS, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS AND THE CITY TO MAKE SURE THEY KEEP THE NEIGHBORHOODS CLEAN AND MAINTAINED. AND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO PITCH IN, THE BLIGHT AUTHORITY ALWAYS WANTS THE HELP. IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THAT, WE PUT IT ON OUR CHANT PAGE ON CLICKONDETROIT.COM. SHE IS A METRO DETROITER WHO HAS WAITED A DECADE FOR A CHANCE AT A NEW LIFE. COMING UP, WHY SHE NEVER GAVE UP HOPE OR THE FIGHT TO LIVE. AND THIS WOMAN WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A TRUCK AND TRAILER RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEADLY CRASH. SEE THE SIMPLE MISTAKE THAT TOOK A DAUGHTER AND HUSBAND FROM ANOTHER WOMAN. IT COULD BE LIFE SAVING INFORMATION THE NEXT TIME YOU'RE ON THE ROAD. Reporter: AND DRASTIC TIMES CALL FOR DESPERATE MEASURES. DEFENDERS GET AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT HOW A BARBERSHOP RID DETROIT CRIME, WE KNOW DETROIT HAS A SERIOUS CRIME PROBLEM, BUT MANY ARE COMMITTED TO STOPPING THE CRIMINALS AND THE FEDS AND DETROIT POLICE ARE GETTING CREATIVE TRYING TO GET THE JOB DONE. IN THIS LOCAL 4 DEFENDERS EXCLUSIVE, KEVIN DAY SHOWS US HOW DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR SOME DRASTIC MEASURES. TIRED OF KIDS GETTING CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE? INNOCENT VICTIMS CATCHING BULLETS? THE DETROIT POLICE ARE WORKING WITH THE FEDS ON BOLD, NEW INITIATIVES TO TAKE DANGEROUS WEAPONS OFF THE STREETS. Reporter: IT'S NO SECRET DETROIT HAS A SERIOUS CRIME PROBLEM. MOST ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 30 SHOT TO DEATH. OF 1200 NON-FATAL SHOOTINGS AND IT'S BEYOND OBVIOUS GUN VIOLENCE IS OUT OF CONTROL. [ SIRENS ] Reporter: DRASTIC TIMES CALL FOR DRASTIC PARTICULAR MEASURES. TO GET GUNS OFF THE STREET, DETROIT POLICE AND THE BUREAU OF FIREARMS, TOBACCO AND EXPLOSIVES ARE LOOKING AT NEW WAYS TO FIGHT OLD PROBLEMS. YOU'RE LOOKING AT EXCLUSIVE VIDEO, DANGEROUS MEN SELLING DANGEROUS WEAPONS. THEY DON'T CARE IF THE WEAPONS ARE USED IN VIOLENT CRIMES THAT KILL KIDS AND PARENTS. THEY JUST WANT THEIR CASH. IS IN ONE LOCAL STING OPERATION, LAW ENFORCEMENT HITS THE WORLDWIDE WEB AND ON THE POPLAR SITE CRAIGSLIST PEOPLE SELL ALL KINDS OF THINGS, BOATS, CARS, BICYCLES, AND SOMETIMES ILLEGAL WEAPONS. LOCAL A LITTLE KNOW ALL ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, AND THEY QUICKLY FIND AN AD OUT OF DEARBORN OFFERING TO SELL ILLEGAL PART IN CONVERT REGULAR GUNS INTO MACHINE GUNS. AGENTS KNOW MACHINE GUNS ARE POPULAR WITH GANG-BANGERS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF DETROIT'S VIOLENCE. THE AGENTS SEND $160 IN MARKED MONEY TO A DEARBORN POST OFFICE BOX. SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS ROLL AS A DETROIT MAN SHOWS UP WITH THE PARTS TO MAIL OUT AND COLLECT THE CASH. A QUICK STING PUTS THE DEALER OUT OF BUSINESS, ELIMINATING MACHINE GUNS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. THEN THERE ARE THE ELABORATE OPERATIONS. WE SET UP A BARBERSHOP, OPEN THE DOORS UP, WORK FOUR DAYS A WEEK JUST FOR A FEW HOURS A DAY. AT THAT TAME PEOPLE WOULD JUST COME IN OFF THE STREET, OFFER TO SELL US GUNS. Reporter: ILLEGAL GUN SALES WERE SO BAD ON WEST WARREN IN DETROIT, THE ATF ACTUALLY BOUGHT A BARBERSHOP, HIRED A BASHER AND OPENED FOR BUSINESS. AN UNDERCOVER STING OPERATION. THAT'S RIGHT, THEY PURCHASED A BARBERSHOP IN ONE OF DETROIT'S MOST BE VIOLENT NEIGHBORHOODS AND STARTED CUTTING HAIR. GIVE THE BUSINESS LEGITIMACY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. AND AS THEY TRIMMED BEARDS AND CUT HAIR, THEY LET IT BE KNOWN THAT THEY WERE IN THE MARKET FOR WEAPONS. THESE ARE ACTUAL UNDERCOVER AGENTS INVOLVED IN THE CASE. WE'VE ALTERED THEIR VOICES, HIDDEN THEIR FACES FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION. WITHIN DAYS DOZENS OF GUYS WERE COMING IN THE FRONT DOOR, SKIPPING THE HAIRCUT, INSTEAD HEADING STRAIGHT THAT THE BACK OFFICE WITH WEAPONS TO SELL. MOST OF THE GUNS WERE STOLEN, AND REMEMBER, SELLING GUNS ON THE STREET IS AGAINST THE LAW. SERIOUSLY, LOOK AT THESE GUYS, PULLING WEAPONS FROM EVERYWHERE INSIDE THEIR CLOTHING. YEAH. A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WOULD ACTUALLY CARRY LONG GUNS UP TO THE LOCATION, LONG GUN, SHOTGUNS, LONG GUN RIFLES, AND THEY WOULD STICK THEM DOWN THEIR PANTS LEG AND WALK IN WITH THEM. I WANT TO SAY THAT WITHIN THE FIRST DAY OR TWO THAT WE WERE OPEN AN INDIVIDUAL WALKED INTO OUR DOORS WITH A SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN AND ASKED IF WE WANTED TO PURCHASE IT. I WAS SURPRISED NOBODY EVER NOTICED HIM WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK OR DOWN THE STREET WITH THE FRAMES STICKING OUT OF THE TOP OF THEIR PANTS. Reporter: USUALLY AGENTS GO TO GUN DEALERS BUT THINGS WERE SO BAD IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY TOOK THE UNUSUAL STEP OF HAVING GUN SELLERS COME TO THEM. AFTER ALL, WHO WOULD THINK THE ATF AND DETROIT POLICE WOULD BUY A BARBERSHOP AND HIRE A BARBER JUST TO BUST PEOPLE SELLING ILLEGAL GUNS. HE SAYS THE STING WORKED PERFECTLY. THESE OPERATIONS ARE IMPORTANT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO REMOVE THE MOST VIOLENT OFFENDERS FROM THE COMMUNITY, MAKING THE COMMUNITIES MUCH SAFER. YOU CAN'T LOWER YOUR GUARD. NEVER KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN. IT'S OUR LOCATION SO WE DECIDE WHEN WE WANT TO MEET SOMEBODY OR IF WE DO NOT WANT TO MEET SOMEBODY. Reporter: DOZENS OF WEAPONS PULLED OFF THE STREETS. THOSE SELLING, ARRESTED AND SENT TO PRISON, MAKING A MAJOR MARK IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT USED TO BE DANGEROUS AND NOW IS JUST A LITTLE BIT SAFER. WE SPEND AN AWFUL LOT OF TIME, OUR BUSINESS MODEL FOR ATF IS PATTER AROUND AND IDENTIFY THE BIGGEST OFFENDERS. THEY SAY SOME OF THE MEN THEY'VE FEARED MOST ARE NOW LOCKED UP BEHIND BARS AND SOME WILL SPEND MORE THAN A DECADE THERE. THE WORD IS SPREADING. IF YOU'RE TRYING IT SELL DANGEROUS GUNS IN DETROIT, HAVE YOU BECOME A TOP TARGET FOR FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. BACK TO YOU. ALL RIGHT, KEVIN. THAT'S PRETTY CREATIVE AND OBVIOUSLY VERY INVOLVED. THERE IS NO ONE SOLUTION ATTACKING DETROIT'S CRIME PROBLEM BUT THE CITY'S NEW CHIEF HAS SAID TREMENDOUS CHANGE IS COMING. IN FACT, I THINK YOU CAN SAY THAT WE'RE ALREADY SEEING IT. AND JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT NEXT IS DETROIT POLICE CHIEF JAMES CRAIG. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES OF PUBLIC SAFETY WHILE THE CITY IS GOING THROUGH THIS BANKRUPTCY. WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S CHALLENGING. NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT, BUT WE HAVE INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES. WE'RE GONNA GET THE JOB DONE DESPITE THE CHALLENGES. AND CERTAINLY OUR POLICE OFFICERS, THEY'RE STARTING TO GET MOTIVATED BECAUSE MORAL WAS AT THE BOTTOM. AND AS I OFTENTIMES SAID, LOW MORAL, HIGH CRIME, HIGH MORAL, LOW CRIME. SO WE'RE POISED TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION VERY QUICKLY. WE'RE DOING SOME THINGS AND IT'S NOW BEEN FOUR WEEKS ON THE JOB, AND JUST ASK ANY OFFICER, CHANGE IS HERE. AND YOU'RE FROM DETROIT ORIGINALLY. OH, I LOVE DETROIT. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR TO YOU GET THIS CITY BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK? VERY IMPORTANT. MY PARENTS LIVE HERE, BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THIS IS HOME. AND I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT BEING HERE AND WE'RE GONNA GET IT DONE TOGETHER. I'M REMINDED OF THE OLD JOKE ABOUT THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORAL IMPROVES. WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT A PROBLEM LIKE MORAL? HOW DO YOU GET THE OFFICERS BACK INTO BELIEVING IN WHAT THEY'RE HERE TO DO, GIVEN THAT THEY KNOW BETTER THAN ANYBODY THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE, MONEY, WE FIND OUT THAT A LOT OF THEM ARE WEARING BULLET-PROOF VESTS THAT HAVE EXPIRED. CARS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY RUN THE WAY THAT THEY SHOULD, AND DISPATCH TIMES AND PROBLEMS THAT HAVE SHOWN THAT SOMETIMES IT TAKES AN HOUR TO GET A POLICE OFFICER TO A SCENE. I TELL YOU, IT'S SERIOUS. BUT IT'S USUALLY THE SMALL THINGS. YOU KNOW, I'VE GONE OUT AND TALKED TO THE OFFICERS, AND YES, IT'S A CONCERN ABOUT LOSING 10% PAY. BUT IT'S THE SMALL THINGS, YOU KNOW, WORK SCHEDULE THAT WAS FORCED ON HIM. CHANGING THAT. 12-HOUR SHIFTS, YOU MEAN. 12, SOME WANT 10, SOME WANT EIGHT. GIVE THEM THE WORK SCHEDULE HEY'RE INVOLVED IN. IT'S THE SMALL THINGS, YOU KNOW. TREAT THEM AS THE PROFESSIONALS THEY ARE. GIVE THEM BACK THE DIGNITY. YOU KNOW WHAT MOST OF THEM TELL ME? THEY WANT TO BE POLICE OFFICERS. THEY'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE POLICE OFFICERS. AND THEY WANT TO BE POLICE OFFICERS. AND SO, WE'RE ALL COPS. AND AS I'VE OFTENTIMES, COPS COUNT. WE'RE GONNA GET THE JOB DONE. BUT LEADERSHIP MATTERS. THERE'S BEEN A LEADERSHIP VOID IN THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHAT DO YOU TELL THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HEAR THE GUNSHOTS AT NIGHT AND FEEL THAT NOBODY ELSE HEARS THEM AND THAT THEY REALLY AREN'T PROTECTED IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS? THEY ARE PROTECTED. IN FACT, YOU KNOW, WE START LOOKING AT RESPONSE TIME. YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, A 50 MINUTE RESPONSE TAME TO EMERGENCY CALLS. YOU KNOW, WE'VE TAKEN A CLOSE LOOK AT IT, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS REPRIORITIZING WHAT'S IMPORTANT, IN FACT WE KNOW -- SEVERAL DAYS AGO AN 11-YEAR-OLD YOUNG MAN WAS SHOT IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT, ONE OF THE BUSIEST DISTRICTS IN DETROIT. TOOK US 4 MINUTES TO ARRIVE AT THAT LOCATION. SO YOU'RE SERIOUS. OH, I'M VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS. THIS IS THE TYPE OFPOLICE OFFICER YOU HAVE WORKING HERE. THEY'RE COMMITTED TO CHANGE. THEY'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE. THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. AND, YOU KNOW, FINANCES ARE AN ISSUE BUT MY COMMITMENT TO THEM IS THEY'RE GONNA GET GOOD LEADERSHIP. AND AS FAR AS MY EXECUTIVE TEAM, THEY KNOW GOING FORWARD THAT IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THIS TEAM, YOU HAVE TO TREAT THE COPS RIGHT. WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT THE GUN PROBLEM? WE JUST WATCHED ONE INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO TRYING BUT THERE'S STILL MORE GUNS THAN YOU YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ON THE STREETS. WE JUST GOTTA KEEP -- FOCUS ON THOSE, VIOLENT PREDATORS IN THE CITY THAT ARE PREYING ON THE GOOD PEOPLE. ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOOKED AT AT OUR LAST SESSION WAS CARJACK. I WILL TELL YOU CARJACKING, UNLIKE PLACES THAT I'VE WORKED, LOS ANGELES, CINCINNATI, NOT VERY COMMON. BUT HERE IN DETROIT, CARJACKING ... RAMPANT. AND SOMETIMES WITH SHOOTINGS. YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT CREATES FEAR IN THE CITY, THAT DOES IT. YES, WE TALK ABOUT THE HOMICIDES. WE'RE DOWN HERE TODAY -- WE'RE DOWN IN SATTINGS AND CARJACKINGS. WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT I CALL A DEEP TISSUE LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH CARJACKINGS. LET'S TALK ABOUT BUILDING TRUST BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE 90s THIS COMMUNITY. HOW DO YOU DO THAT? HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT STRONGER? TRANSPARENCY. WHAT I'VE DONE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE IN THE SHORT TIME, I'VE OPENED UP THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO YOUR COLLEAGUES, CERTAINLY TO THE COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE GONNA TELL THE TRUTH. WE'RE GONNA TELL IT LIKE IT IS. YOU KNOW, NO SECRETS. I REVEAL THAT IN MY OWN OFFICE -- I HAD AN OFFICER WHOSE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY WAS TO GAS MY CAR AND GET IT WASHED. THOSE DAYS ARE OVER. POLICE OFFICERS, LINE OFFICERS WITH NO RECALL. SECRETARIES, TAKING CARS HOME. IT'S CITY GAS, OVER, DONE WITH. SO WHEN YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT TRUST, I'M GONNA TALK ABOUT IT. I'M GONNA REVEAL IT. THE ISSUE WITH THE RADIO SYSTEMS, MOTOROLA, WHAT HAPPENED. WHY DIDN'T WE CHECK THE SYSTEM BEFORE A CRISIS IN AND SO MY COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY TO ALL OF YOU IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO TELL THE TRUTH. WE'RE GOING TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT IS. I WANT YOU TO KNOW -- THIS IS YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT. THAT'S HOW YOU BUILD TRUST. CHIEF, WE WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AND MAKING TIME TO BE WITH US TONIGHT. GREAT TO BE BACK HOME IN DETROIT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. A METRO DETROIT JUDGE OFFERS A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA WITH HER RULINGS. COPYING COMING UP, WHAT HAPPENED IN HER PERSONAL LIFE THAT HAS THIS WOMAN GIVING PRESENTS IN THE COURTROOM. THEY'RE PULLING TRAILERS ALL THE TIME BUT WHAT IF THAT TRAILER IS NOT CONNECTED THE IT'S A DANGER YOU MIGHT NOT THINK ABOUT AS YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT'S JUST ONE DAY THAT CHANGED MY WHOLE LIFE, CHANGED SOMEONES' WHOLE FAMILY. I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. WHAT THIS WOMAN DID KILLED A FATHER AND DAUGHTER AND LANDED HER IN JAIL. THIS WOMAN IS TALKING ABOUT THE TRAGEDY SHE PLAYED A ROLE IN AND THE HOPES IT COULD SAVE LIVES. MEANWHILE, ANOTHER WOMAN MOURNS THE LOSS OF HER HUSBAND AND HER DAUGHTER. ALL BECAUSE SOMEONE DID NOT CONNECT A TRAILER CORRECTLY. LOCAL 4 DEFENDER KAREN DREW HAS THIS HEART-BREAKING MESSAGE. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS CLIP. IT IS SMALL AND INEXPENSIVE BUT USED PROPERLY WITH A HITCH AND SAFETY CHAINS, IT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. YOU MAY SAY I NEVER DO ANYTHING, WHAT DOES IT MATTER? THAT'S WHAT ONE MOTHER THOUGHT. Reporter: IT'S A GUT-WRENCHING TRIP, CHRISTIE COX NEVER IMAGINED SHE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE. SHE'S VISITING THE GRAVESITE OF HER HUSBAND JEREMY AND DAUGHTER IZZY KILLED DURING AN INNOCENT TRIP TO THE LIBRARY. THAT'S WHEN IN THE APPROACHING LANE A TRAILER BEING TOWED BY A PICKUP TRUCK CAME LOOSE TEARING THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF JEREMY'S CAR, KILLING HIM IMMEDIATELY. 11-MONTH-OLD LIAM SITTING BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT SURVIVED. HIS 3-YEAR-OLD SISTER IZZY DIED IN HER CAR SEAT SITTING BEHIND HER DAD. AND I JUST FELL TO THE GROUND. ALL THE AIR JUST LEFT ME. MY WORLD JUST SHATTERED. SO WHY DID THE TRAILER COME LOOSE? ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, THE TRAILER WAS CONNECTED WITH A HITCH PIN LIKE THIS BUT IT WAS MISSING THE CLIP. WITHOUT THAT CLIP, THE LIVE EASILY CAME OUT. Reporter: THE PERSON TOWING THE TRAILER WAS THIS WOMAN, AMANDA EHRHARDT. AMANDA SERVED 30 DAYS IN JAIL BUT WILL DEAL WITH A LIFETIME OF GUILT. SHE DIDN'T OWN THE TRAILER OR HOOK IT UP, BUT SHE WAS HELD RESPONSIBLE. I'M SORRY. Reporter: THE COX FAMILY TRAGEDY HAPPENED IN MINNESOTA. THEY OPENED UP TO CARE TV TO SHARE THEIR STORY IN HOPES THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO ANOTHER FAMILY. BUT WE CAN FIND EXAMPLES OF TRAILER TRAGEDIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING HERE IN MICHIGAN. TONY HALL DIED IN ROCKFORD, MICHIGAN WHEN A TRAILER THAN THOMAS DELLS WAS DRIVING CAME UNATTACHED AND CRASHED INTO HER CAR. DELLS WAS CHARGED WITH NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE AND HAD TO SERVE FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS IN JAIL, THREE YEARS PROBATION. JUST TAKE A COUPLE EXTRA MINUTES TO GO BACK THERE MAKE SURE -- TAKE SOMEBODY WITH YOU JUST TO GIVE IT A PULL. Reporter: DURING THIS BUSY TIME OF SUMMER TRAVEL, THEY'RE URGING EVERYONE WHO TOW SOMETHING. MAKE SURE THE HITCH IS IN THE RECEIVER PROPERLY. Reporter: TO CHECK... HAVING THE PIN IN LATHE PLACE, THE COTTER PIN TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT GONNA COME OUT. Reporter: AND DOUBLE-CHECK THEIR TRAILER IS ATTACHED CORRECTLY. ONCE YOU HAVE THAT, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BALL AND A HITCH THAT ARE THE PROPER SIZE. Reporter: DON'T FORGET TO USE TWO SAFETY CHAINS. TAKE YOUR SAFETY CHAINS, CROSS THEM UNDERNEATH THE HITCH ITSELF. Reporter: IF YOU FORGET THOSE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, WATCH WHAT COULD HAPPEN. WITH THE HELP OF POLICE, THE CARE TV CREW AND 12 CAMERAS, THE LATCH IS DISABLED. WE'RE AT A CLOSED COURSE AT 15 MILES PER HOUR AND WATCH, THE TRAILER COMES OFTEN HITCH. THE TRAILER SWAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE BUT THE CHAINS HOLD. NO ONE GETS HURT. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SAFETY CHAINS. Reporter: THE NEXT RUN, THE SAFETY CHAINS ARE TAKEN OFF. SAME COURSE, SAME SPEED... NO CHAINS. HE'S MOVING. UNHITCHED TRAILERS DON'T HEAD STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. AND ONCE A TRAILER DETACHES, THE DRIVER IS POWERLESS TO STOP IT. JUST THINK ABOUT THAT TINY LITTLE GIRL. Reporter: CHRISTIE COX THINKS ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME, STILL THREE YEARS AFTER THE CRASH IZZY'S ROOM IS UNTOUCHED. HER LAWBLEDRY STILL IN THE HAMPER. BECAUSE ONCE I WASH THEM, THEY WON'T SMELL LIKE HER THREE YEARS LATER. I JUST CAN'T. Reporter: NOW HOMEVIDEOS OF HER DAUGHTER AND TRIPS TO THE CEMETERY IS WHAT SHE SHARES WITH IZZY'S BROTHER LIAM ABOUT PART OF HIS FAMILY HE NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO REALLY KNOW. DADDY AND IZZY, WE'LL SEE YOU LATER, AND WE LOVE YOU. BESIDES MAKING SURE YOUR TRAILER IS ATTACHED CORRECTLY, MICHIGAN STATE POLICE REMIND EVERYONE TO MAKE SURE THEIR TRAILER'S TAILLIGHTS ARE WORKING, AND IF YOU'RE A DRIVER, MAKE SURE YOU GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN YOUR CAR AND A TRAILER. KAREN DREW, LOCAL 4 DEFENDERS. ALL RIGHT, THANKS, KAREN. WELL, COMING UP, IT'S NOT ALL BAD NEWS FOR DETROIT, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE, PLAY HERE AND WORK HERE WEIGH IN. IT'S HUGE, ESPECIALLY AFTER WAITING FOR 10 YEARS. AND THIS METRO DETROITER REFUSED TO GIVE UP ON A CURE FOR HER DEADLY DISEASE AND HER PERSISTENCE WHAT PAID OFF. WELCOME BACK TO DATELINE DETROIT. I WANT TO YOU STOP AND THINK FOR JUST A MOMENT ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE DOING 10 YEARS AGO. THAT'S HOW LONG TARA REVIN HAS BEEN FIGHTING A DEADLY DISEASE AND AT THE SAME TIME SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP SAVE HER. OUR DR. FRANK McGEORGE IS HERE NOW WITH TARA'S STORY OF PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, AND PASSION. SHE SPENT THE LAST 10 YEARS LAG FOR A DONOR WORKING HARD AND TO SAVE NOT JUST HER LIFE BUT COUNTLESS OTHERS SICK WITH BLOOD DISEASES. Reporter: WE FIRST INTRODUCED YOU TO TARA REVIN IN 2004. SHE LOOKED LIKE A HEALTHY MOM. PLAYING WITH HER THEN 7-YEAR-OLD SON. BUT TARA WAS JUST BEGINNING HER BATTLE WITH A DEADLY DISEASE. I PRAY EVERY NATE WITH HIM BEFORE HE GOES TO BED. LIE AT HIM, I JUST. th JUST OVERWHELMING HOW MUCH I LOVE HIM. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS TO HAVE MY SON GROW UP WITHOUT A MOM. TARA'S ILLNESS IS CALLED MYLE DISLAST YA SYNDROME. SHE'S NOT MAKING THE RIGHT KIND OF CELLS AND THIS COULD GO ON TO DEVELOP THAT LEUKEMIA. Reporter: HER BEST CHANCE FOR SURVIVAL IS A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT, IF SHE CAN FIND A MATCH. I'M CORIAN, I'M ADOPTED, SO ALL OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARE CAUCASIAN. SO I HAVE NO KNOWN BLOOD RELATIVES. Reporter: WITH NO FAMILY MATCH, TARA TURNED TO THE "BE THE MATCH REGISTRY" BUT OF THOSE LISTED. 6% ARE ASIAN AND YOUR BEST MATCH IS SOMETHING THAT'S YOUR ETHNICITY. SO THERE'S A GREAT, GREAT, GREAT AHEAD IN FOR MINORITY DONORS TO GET ON TO THE REGISTRY. Reporter: DETERMINED TO LIVE FOR HER SON, TARA FOCUSED ON STAYING ALIVE AND GROWING THE REGISTRY. I DECIDED TO DO BONE MARROW DRIVES, EVERYWHERE. EVERY SINGLE KOREAN CHURCH, EVERY SINGLE COLLEGE CAMPUS. Reporter: A FEW YEARS BACK, TARA DID FIND A MATCH IN A STRANGER BUT THE PERSON CHANGED THEIR MIND. IT WAS DEVASTATING. Reporter: FAST-FORWARD TO TODAY. TARA'S STILL LIVING WITH THE DISEASE BUT IT'S BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT. JUST AS OF RECENTLY, MY HEALTH HAS BEEN DETERIORATING. SO A LOT OF MY ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN -- COUNTS HAVE BEEN DROPPING DRAMATICALLY AND FREQUENTLY. Reporter: FEARFUL THAT HER CONDITION COULD WORSEN, TARA AND HER DOCTOR MADE A DECISION. WE THINK WE HAVE OUR BEST CHANCE OF CURING HER RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF CURING HER WITH A TRANSPLANT. Reporter: SO THEY CHECKED THE REGISTRY AGAIN FOR A MATCH. WE FOUND A DONOR. IT'S HUGE. ESPECIALLY AFTER WAITING FOR 10 YEARS. Reporter: BUT THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER. AS TARA WRITES IN HER BLOG, LAST SATURDAY WAS BIRTHDAY NUMBER 2. SHE WAS BORN AGAIN, RECEIVING A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT AND A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE. THANKS TO A STRANGER. I DO KNOW MY DONOR IS A 35-YEAR-OLD MALE, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL I CAN KNOW. THIS GUY SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD IS TAKING TIME OUT OF HIS DAY FOR SOMEBODY HE DOES NOT EVEN KNOW. HE HAS NO STRINGS ATTACHED TO ME, AND HE'S GOING TO HELP SAVE MY LIFE. BEST MATCH WE CAN FIND IS WHAT'S KNOWN AS A SEVEN OUT OF EIGHT MATCH WHICH ISN'T A PERFECT MATCH BUT SOME OF THE DATA SHOWING YOU CAN DO JUST AS WELL AS 7 OUT OF 8 MATCH RIGHT NOW. Reporter: THE PROCESS TO GET THE DONOR'S STEM CELLS FOR TARA WAS NO MORE PAINFUL THAN A BLOOD DRAW AND GIVEN TO TARA IN HER IV THE-ONCOLOGIST AT THE CANCER CENTER SAYS EVERYONE CAN DO SOMETHING THAT MIGHT KEEP PATIENTS LIKE TARA FROM WAITING 10 YEARS FOR A TRANSPLANT. VERY FRUSTRATING. WE KNOW THAT IF WE CAN INCREASE THE DONOR REGISTRY, WE'D HAVE MORE DONORS AVAILABLE, IT WOULD GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO BE CURED. Reporter: PEOPLE LIKE TARA WHO HAVE SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR, INCLUDING HER NOW 17-YEAR-OLD SON. I WANT TO SEE HIM GRADUATE AND, NOW I'M LIKE, YOU KNOW, I MIGHT JUST HAVE THAT CHANCE. NOW, TARA'S TAKING IT DAY BY DAY BATTLING FEVERS, NAUSEA, AND EXTREME FATIGUE, WAITING FOR SIGNS THAT THE STEM CELLS ARE PRODUCING HEALTHY CELLS IN HER BODY. NOW, THE KEY TO HELPING PEOPLE LIKE TARA IS GETTING PEOPLE TO JOIN THE REGISTRY, AND ALL IT TAKES IS JUST A SOFT SWAB FROM YOUR CHEEK. PLEASE CONSIDER GOING TO THE HEALTH PAGE AT CLICKONDETROIT.COM FOR THE LINK TO THE THE MATCH REGISTRY. I'M DR. FRANK McGEORGE, BACK TO YOU. IMAGINE GETTING A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT'S PAINFUL AND HARD TO DONATE, BUT DR. McGEORGE WANTS YOU TO KNOW THAT IF YOU ARE A MATCH SAVING SOMEONE'S LIFE CAN BE AS EASY AND QUICK AS A BLOOD DONATION. AND LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE IT CAN MAKE IN SOMEONE'S LIFE. THERE'S A NEW MEAL PLAN IN DETROIT WITH THE OPENING OF ONE BUT TWO MAJOR GROCERS THIS THE CITY LIMITS. WE'LL SHOW YOU WHO EXPERTS SAY WE NEED TO MAKE ROOM FOR AS WE MOVE FORWARD. AND A LOCAL JUDGE IS CHANGING LIVES BY GIVING SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL WITH THE RULE THINGS HER COURTROOM. I AM NOT THE SAME PERSON I WAS BEFORE HAVING BREAST CANCER. NOW SHE'S SHARING SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL WITH HER RULINGS. IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU EXPECT IN A CROORNLT BUT THIS JUDGE IS LITERALLY HANDING OUT PRESENTS ITS. THOSE ON THE RECEIVING END SAY THESE GIFTS FROM THE BENCH ARE LIFE CHANGING. IN HER COURTROOM, SHE HANDLES EVERYTHING FROM DIVORCE, CHILD CUSTODY, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND NEGLECT. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IT GETS PRETTY EMOTIONAL IN THIS COURTROOM. BUT THE JUDGE IS TAKING A REALLY INNOVATIVE APPROACH, TAKING SOMETHING VERY PERSONAL FROM HER LIFE AND GIVING IT TO THOSE SHE THINKS SHE CAN HELP. Reporter: 45-YEAR-OLD LISA AGORSKIA WHAT BEEN ON THE BENCH FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS, A WOMAN THAT KEPT HER FAMILY AND WORK HER TOP PRIORITY. HER HEALTH REALLY NOT A CONCERN, THAT IS UNTIL 2011. I WAS DIAGNOSED IN 2011. I HAD BREAST CANCER. Reporter: HER FIGHT AGAINST THE DEADLY DISEASE HAD BEGUN. SO I WAS DIAGNOSED IN FEBRUARY. I HAD A MASTECTOMY IN MARCH AND THEN CHEMO STARTED. Reporter: HER CANCER HAD ALREADY PROGRESSED TO STAGE 3. SHE HAD A BATTLE ON HER HANDS, BUT HER SPIRIT WAS STRONG. FROM THE MOMENT MY DOCTOR CALLED TO TELL ME THAT I HAD BREAST CANCER, I KNEW THAT I WAS GOING TO DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO SURVIVE, TO THRIVE. Reporter: SHE SPENT FOUR MONTHS IN CHEMO, SEVEN WEEKS OF DAILY RADIATION, AND THEN RIGHT DURING HER TREATMENT... SHE GOT A GIFT. WHEN I FIRST RECEIVED THE BOOK, I THOUGHT THIS IS CRAZY. Reporter: A 142 PAGE BOOK CALLED ZEN AND THE ART OF HAPPINESS. ZEN, IT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT I WAS FAMILIAR WITH. SO I GAVE IT A SHOT AND COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. Reporter: SHE DEVOURED THE BOOK. THE WORDS OF INSPIRATION BRINGING HER A SENSE OF CALM. SOME PASSAGES THAT REALLY STUCK WITH HER. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO ME IS THE BEST POSSIBLE THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO ME. SHE ACCEPTED THAT PASSAGE AND TRIED TO LIVE THAT WAY. ALSO THE MESSAGE YOUR STATE OF MIND IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR OF THE OUTCOME OF YOUR LIFE. HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE. YOU CAN SMILE AND BE HAPPY YOU'RE HERE. EVEN THROUGH THE WORST TIMES. Reporter: THE JUDGE MADE IT THROUGH HER TREATMENT. I HAVE STRANGERS, FRIENDS OF FRIENDS, DEPUTIES, PEOPLE HERE IN THE COURT, PEOPLE IN OUR MAINTENANCE, AND THEY SAY, CAN I TALK TO YOU? WHILE SHARING HER STORY ABOUT HOW SHE GOT THROUGH CANCER WITH HER COWORKERS AND FRIENDS, SHE REALIZED SHE COULDN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT THE BOOK THAT HELPED HER THROUGH. I THOUGHT, MOM, YOU YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK BECAUSE MY MOTHER IS A WORRIER. AND SO SHE STARTED READING IT, AND ANOTHER FRIEND PICKED IT UP WHEN MY MOM PUT IT DOWN AND MY OTHER FRIEND SAID THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. Reporter: SO SHE BOUGHT A BUNCH OF COPIES AND STARTED HANDING THEM OUT. IT WENT TO ANYBODY THAT HAD ANY TYPE OF ISSUES. IF I KNEW SOMEBODY WAS HAVING SOME KIND OF PAINFUL RELATIONSHIP ISSUES WITH THEIR JOB, BUT MOSTLY IT WAS PEOPLE WHO WERE SICK. Reporter: THEN SHE THOUGHT, WAIT, CAN THIS BOOK MAYBE HELP THOSE IN MY COURTROOM? SO I THOUGHT WHY AM I LIMITING THIS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK AND WHAT ABOUT ALL THE KIDS THAT COME IN FRONT OF ME IN COURT THAT CAN HAVE A HAPPIER LIFE. I'M ALL FOR, IF ONE THING ON THAT BOOK MAKES YOU HAVE A BETTER LIFE, THEN I'M ALL FOR IT. Reporter: SO THE JUDGE BROUGHT HER GOODWILL TO THE COURTROOM. THE KIDS THAT I SEE ON A REGULAR BASIS ARE KIDS THAT ARE EITHER COMMITTING CRIMES 16 AND SUNDAY OR KIDS THAT ARE IN HOMES WHERE THEY'RE BEING ABUSED OR NEGLECTED. SO SHE STARTED HANDING OUT THE ZEN AND THE ART OF HAPPINESS TO YOUNGSTERS. THE CHILD SAID YOU HAVE A GIFT FOR ME. AND I'M LIKE, I DO. Reporter: THE LITTLE BOOK CAUGHT ON AND BECAME A FREQUENT GIFT FROM THE JUDGE TO THOSE IN HER COURTROOM. I JUST THINK IF THEY CAN GET ONE THING, THAT THEY HAVE SO MUCH WORRY IN THEIR LIFE, WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO WITH THEIR FUTURE, WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO LIVE, WHO THEY'RE GONNA HANG OUT WITH, IF THERE'S ONE THING IN THAT BOOK THAT HELPS THEM, THEN THAT'S MY GOAL. Reporter: EVEN THE ARTHUR HEARD ABOUT THE JUDGE'S GIFT GIVING AND SENT HER A BOX OF BOOKS TO HANDED OUT. FROM ALL THE ADULTS THAT HAVE READ IT, THEY LOVE IT. I HAVE SOMEONE THAT I KNOW THAT IT CHANGED HER LIFE. Reporter: IT'S NOT VERY TYPICAL A JUDGE HANDS OUT GIFTS BUT SHE SAYS SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO THINK OUT OF THE BOX TO REALLY REACH OUT TO SOMEONE. AND AS FAR AS THE JUDGE'S HEALTH... SO FAR, SO GOOD. I JUST HAD ANOTHER SCAN, AND THEY ARE LOWERING ME TO ONLY ONCE A YEAR INSTEAD OF TWICE A YEAR. SO KNOCK ON WOOD. ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I NEED TO LET YOU KNOW, THIS BOOK REALLY HELPED ME. JUDGE GORSIKA, WHO HAPPENS TO BE MY SISTER-IN-LAW, ENCOURAGED ME TO READ THIS BOOK WHEN I WAS PREGNANT. I WASN'T ABLE TO WALK, FORCED TO BE IN A WALKER FOR 3 MONTHS. AFTER READING THIS BOOK, I STOPPED THE WORRYING AND HAD A BETTER OUTLOOK. SO IT'S PRETTY AMAZING WHAT A LITTLE BOOK CAN DO AS FAR AS CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE AND HOPEFULLY IMPROVE YOUR LIFE. WHAT A LITTLE ZEN CAN DO. BY THE WAY, NO PUBLIC MONEY WAS EVER SPENT ON HANDING OUT THE BOOKS. IT ALL CAME FROM PERSONAL MONEY FROM THE JUDGE AND BOOKS DONATED FROM THE AUTHOR. MANY FOCUS ON THE BAD, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD GOING ON IN THE MOTOR CITY. COMING UP, WE REVEAL A FEW GEMS OF PROGRESS IN DETROIT. AND WITH TWO MAJOR GROCERY STORE CHAINS OPENING IN THE CITY, WILL GOOD FOOD BE MORE Reporter: WHO KNEW THE OPENING OF A GROCERY STORE COULD CREATE SUCH EXCITEMENT, SUCH HOPE? I'M GLAD WE FINALLY GET TO DETROIT. Reporter: AFTER SIX YEARS WITHOUT A MAJOR GROCERY CHAIN WITHIN CITY LIMITS, DETROIT HAS TWO GRAND STORES OPEN FOR BUSINESS. IS THIS THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING EVEN BIGGER AND BETTER. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE COMPANIES ABOUT COMING TO DETROIT. YES. YOU KNOW, THE CITY OF DETROIT HAS BEEN STRUGGLING FOR YEARS TO REVERSE ITS REPUTATION AS A FOOD DESERT. NOW WITHIN THE SPAN OF 50 DAYS WE'VE SEEN THE OPENING OF STORES FROM BOTH WHOLE FOODS AND MEYER. OUR HANK WINCHESTER LOOKS AT THE BEGINNING OF A GROCERY COMEBACK. S SPHZ WE'RE HERE AT THE NUEMEYER'S STORE AT 8 MILE AND WOODWARD AND YOU CAN DEFINITELY FEEL THE EXCITEMENT INSIDE. DETROITERS ARE THRILLED TO HAVE THIS DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD. THE QUESTION NOW IS WILL THE OPENING OF THIS STORE ENCOURAGE OTHER RETAILERS TO MOVE TO THE MOTOR CITY. Reporter: NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE THE DOORS OPENING AT THIS SHINY NEW SUPER CENTER WILL SHUT DOWN DETROIT'S REPUTATION AS A FAD DESERT BUT IT'S A START. A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. AND DETROIT MAYOR DAVE BING IS HOPEFUL THERE'S MORE GOOD NEWS ON THE WAY. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS AND I THINK OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS WE WILL SEE OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT WILL HAPPEN. DETROITERS HAVE SEEN A POWERFUL ONE-TWO PUNCH IN THE CITY'S GROCERY MARKET SINCE JUNE 5th. THAT WAS THE DAY WHOLE FOODS OPENED ITS NEW STORE AT MACK AND WOODWARD. THESE ARE ALL GOOD SIGNS IN TERMS OF WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR THE McVITALITY OF THE REGION AND TAKING IT DOWN TO STREET LEVEL. Reporter: HE'S SEE SEEN THE CITY'S COMEBACKS HOPES RISE AND FALL MANY TIMES. ONE ALREADY LOOKS MORE REAL BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF IT AND IT FEET MORE REALISTIC. BRINGING IN MORE RETAILERS, ESPECIALLY GROCERS INTO DETROIT MUST BE A KEY PART OF THE PLAN. IT'S NOT A CURE-ALL. IT'S NOT THE END OF THE ISSUES BUT THE BEGINNING TO SOLVE SOME OF THE ISSUES. Reporter: BILL IS ON THE ADVISORY BOARD FOCUSING ON FOOD ISSUES AND SECURITY FOR DETROIT RESIDENTS. YOU HEAR PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE LITTLE JUICES AND HOT CHEETOES THAT OUR KIDS ARE GRABBING BEFORE THEY GO TO SCHOOL AND SOMETIMES FROM HOME, AND OUR CHOICES ARE VERY LIMITED HERE IN THE CITY OF DETROIT. Reporter: WHILE JONES APPLAUDS THE BIG SPLASHY ARRIVALS, HE SAYS THERE'S ALSO ROOM FOR SMALLER GROCERS TO SERVE THE UNDERSERVED CITIZENS OF DETROIT. ROOM FOR MOM AND POP. THERE'S ROOM FOR FOLKS WHO ARE JUST SPECIALTY NICHE PRODUCTS. THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM FOR MORE FOOD HERE IN THE CITY OF DETROIT. THERE'S ROOM FOR MORE FARMERS MARKETS. Reporter: AND IT'S NOT JUST A MATTER OF MORE FOOD SECURITY BUT ALSO A SHOW OF FINANCIAL STRENGTH. ANALYSTS WOULD SAY THERE'S ABOUT $200 MILLION A YEAR OF WHAT'S CALLED RETAIL LEAKAGE HEADING OUT OF THE CITY OF DETROIT. THAT'S MONEY SPENT ON FOOD SOMEWHERE ELSE. THIS IS MONEY THEY COULD STAY IN OUR COMMUNITY. Reporter: WHILE MEYER IS JUST GETTING STARTED IN DETROIT, WHOLE FOODS HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS NOW. CUSTOMERS THERE ENJOYING THE PERKS OF HAVING A MAJOR RETAILER BACK IN THE CITY. THERE'S NO FOOD IN DETROIT. THAT'S THE REASON WHY I'M DOWN HERE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY GOT FRESH VEGETABLES AND STUFF. Reporter: WHAT'S NEXT FOR DETROIT'S GROCERY MARKET? WILL MEYER EXPAND? WHILE IT DOES CONTROL THE SITED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL IN NORTHWEST DETROIT, THE CHAIN SAYS IT'S TOO SOON TO COMMENT ON FUTURE PLANS. WILL KROGER JUMP INTO THE MOTOR CITY? A SPOKESPERSON FOR THAT CHAIN SAYS IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO SPECULATE ON FUTURE STORE SITES. IN SOME WAYS, THE CLOCK MIGHT BE TICKING FOR RETAILERS LOOKING TO DRIVE INTO THE MOTOR CITY. AT SOME POINT IN GET IN NOW OR GET IN LATER, GET IN LATER WITH A LESS ADVANTAGEOUS LOCATION? Reporter: WHATEVER HAPPENS NEXT 2000 YOU 13 WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A MOMENT WHEN THERE WAS GROWING HOPE ABOUT GROCERY RETAILERS FINALLY RETURNING TO THE CITY. I SEE THE SITES OF THE WHOLE FOODS AND I THINK WHEN OTHER STORES SEE, THAT THEY'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO FOLLOW SUIT. AMAZING. I'M EXCITED. IT FEELS LIKE THE CITY'S COMING BACK. THE RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY WHICH HAPPENED TO BE THE DETROIT'S 104th BIRTHDAY, THE KIND OF PRESENT THAT GIVES DETROIT HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, SAID THE MAYOR. BACK TO YOU. A BRAND-NEW STORE. BY THE WAY, MEYER ALSO WORKS WITH LOCAL GROCERS TO FEATURE MICHIGAN-MADE PRODUCTS. THE DETROIT STORE WILL FEATURE A CRAFT BEER CALLED STATE FAIR PALE ALE. THAT SOUNDS GOOD. A TRIBUTE TO THE MICHIGAN STATE FAIR AND AS THE STORE SITS ON THE FORMER FAIRGROUNDS, IT'S THERE. PRETTY APPROPRIATE. COOL. TEASE SEE THE BAD AND THE UGLY IN DETROIT BUT THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD GOING ON IN THE MOTOR CITY IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK. WE KNOW IT'S SO EASY TO SEE THE BAD IN OUR CITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN NEWS OF DETROIT'S FINANCIAL WOES ARE MAKE HEADLINES IN NEARLY EVERY MAJOR NEWSPAPER IN THE COUNTRY. BUT THERE IS SO MUCH PROGRESS BEING MADE IN THE MOTOR CITY. OUR STEVE GARE JOEL LA HELPS US TAKE A MOMENT TO CELEBRATE WHAT'S GOOD IN DETROIT. STEVE GARAGIOLA. STEVE GARAGIOLA. IF YOU DON'T COME TO DETROIT OR KNOW DETROIT, IT'S EASY TO FALL BACK ON THAT OLD FAMILIAR SONG, CRIME, DECAY, BLIGHT, BLAH, BLAH. LET IT GO. BECAUSE IF YOU THINK ALL THE OPTIMISTIC TALK IS JUST TALK, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN PAYING ATTENTION. THIS IS CAMPUS MARTIOUS, NO PARADE, NO FIREWORKS, NO FESTIVAL, IT'S JUST LUNCHTIME AND PEOPLE ENJOYING LIFE DOWNTOWN. SEEMS LIKE YOU OUGHTA MOVE YOUR HORSY AND GET HIS POINTY GUY. HIS POINTY GUY? YOU MEAN THE BISHOP? YEAH, THAT'S IT. GO GET HIM, MAN, GET THE HORSY OUT THERE. ONLY BECAUSE YOU WANT TO SEE IT. DO IT, MAN. DO IT. OH, YEAH! THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. Reporter: HAVE YOU BEEN ALONG THE RIVERFRONT RECENTLY? PICK ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. FAMILIES OUT ENJOYING THE COOL BREEZE, ESPECIALLY WELCOME ON A HOT DAY. THE THING WITH DOWNTOWN IS THAT YOU HAVE TO GET OUT AND LOOK BE AROUND A LITTLE. I LIVE IN THE CITY. I LOVE LIVING IN THE CITY. I ALWAYS HAVE, SO THAT'S WHAT I DO WHAT I DO. I SHOW PEOPLE WHAT THE CITY REALLY HAS TO OFFER BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN, YOU KNOW, JUST WHAT YOU SEE ON THE -- THE HEADLINES. Reporter: PLENTY OF FUN GOING ON. BUT WHAT ABOUT BUSINESS? THIS BRICK AND TRAVEL LOT ON WOODWARD WON'T BE VACANT FOR LONG. THE PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS TO WRAP UP CONTRACTS BY THE END OF THE YEAR. THEY COULD BREAK GROUND NEXT SPRING ON A $650 MILLION MULTIPLE USE COMPLEX. SHOPPING, CONDOS, AND A NEW ARENA FOR THE RED WINGS. THE $279 MILLION RENOVATION OF COBO CENTER REMAINS ON SCHEDULE AND SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY JANUARY OF 2015. THAT MEANS MORE CONVENTION BUSINESS, WHICH MEANS PEOPLE, AND THAT MEANS MONEY. AND THAT'S NOT JUST OPTIMISTIC TALK. WHOLE FOODS OPENED A NEW STORE DOWNTOWN. IF YOU'RE A CYNIC, YOU SAY IT'S JUST A GROCERY STORE. WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL. BUT IT IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE A GROCERY STORE MEANS PEOPLE LIVE THERE, AND PEOPLE ARE THE LIFE BLOOD OF THE CITY. A LOT OF MY FRIENDS GO TO ART SCHOOL AROUND HERE SO A LOT OF THE ART SHOWS AND GETTING OUT ON THE WATER. I LIKE COMING OUT HERE AROUND THE RIVERFRONT. IT'S CALMING IN A WAY. Reporter: THE EASY THING TO DO IS STAND ON THE SIDELINES AND POINT OUT WHAT'S WRONG. IT'S MORE CHALLENGING TO GET INTO THE GAME. YEAH, BABY. Reporter: AND BUILD ON WHAT'S GOING RIGHT. IN DETROIT, A BRAND-NEW GAME IS JUST GETTING STARTED. ONE THING WE KNOW FOR SURE THAT WHEN THERE'S GOOD, QUALITY FOOD AVAILABLE AND PEOPLE ARE EATING WELL, THEY FEEL BETTER AND THEY ACT BETTER. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON DOWN HERE. AN APARTMENT BUILDING IS COMPLETELY FULL WITH ABOUT 60 UNIT, 171 PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST, NOT FAR FROM WHERE WE ARE. A LOT OF HOPE WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND. THANKS SO MUCH FOR SPENDING THE EVENING US WITH HERE ON DATELINE DETROIT. WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE FOR LOCAL 4 NEWS AT 11:00.

DETROIT -

Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr has contracted Christie's, a New York-based auction house, to appraise the art collection inside the Detroit Institute of Art.The announcement was released Monday afternoon by the world-famous auction house.

Even before Detroit's bankruptcy filings started move through the court, there was concern the DIA collection could be on the line.

Christie's sent two representatives to check out the art for an appraisal. It is something that doesn't sit well with the visitors.

Orr said in a statement that the appraisal is part of a city-wide survey of assets to help the restructuring process.

Christie's said in a statement, "We confirm that Christie’s Appraisals Inc. was asked and has entered into an agreement to appraise a portion of the City owned collection at the Detroit Institute of Art. In addition we will also assist and advise on how to realize value for the City while leaving the art in the City’s ownership. Appraisal of organizations and individual collections is a regular part of our normal business and Christie’s was asked to assist due to our expertise in this area across all fine art categories and eras. We understand that a valuation of all the City's assets (extending well beyond the art) is one of many steps that will be necessary for the legal system to reach a conclusion about the best long term solution for the citizens of Detroit."

"The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has learned that Christie’s, at the request of the Emergency Manager, plans to proceed with a valuation of the DIA collection, and we will be cooperating completely in that process. However, we continue to believe there is no reason to value the collection as the Attorney General has made clear that the art is held in charitable trust and cannot be sold as part of a bankruptcy proceeding. We applaud the EM's focus on rebuilding the City, but would point out that he undercuts that core goal by jeopardizing Detroit's most important cultural institution."

"In addition, recent moves in Oakland and Macomb counties to invalidate the tri-county millage if art is sold virtually ensure that any forced sale of art would precipitate the rapid demise of the DIA. Removing $23 million in annual operating funds – nearly 75% of the museum’s operating budget – and violating the trust of donors and supporters would cripple the museum, putting an additional financial burden on our already struggling city. The DIA has long been doing business without City of Detroit operating support; any move that compromises its financial stability will endanger the museum and further challenge the City’s future."

Copyright 2013 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed below are not those of Click On Detroit, WDIV, or its affiliated companies. By clicking on "Post," you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and your comment is in compliance with such terms. Readers, please help keep this discussion respectful and on topic by flagging comments that are offensive or inappropriate (hover over the commenter's name and you'll see the flag option appear on right side of that line). And remember, respect goes both ways: Tolerance of others' opinions is important in a free discourse. If you're easily offended by strong opinions, you might skip reading comments entirely.